1 John 1:9: If We Confess Our Sins

1 John 1:9
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

All of humanity has one thing in common.  We are all sinners.  Unfortunately, not all of humanity has come to a recognition of this reality.  The Apostle John has written this letter to those in the church who had been infiltrated by false teaching that declared that they did not need to confess sin  Rather, they believed that they were not sinners.  They deceived themselves, and were not true believers. Sadly, there are many today who make all kinds of rationalizations and excuses for their sinful nature and proudly refuse to confess their sin.

The great Martin Luther said, "The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation."  The wonderful truth is that once we recognize our sin, we then can recognize our Savior.  He came to forgive us of our sin.  As John tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I am thankful for he fact that there is nothing that I can confess to God that he is not willing to forgive.  For the non-believer the idea of confession is traumatic.  They do not want to deal with their own wickedness.  But to the believer, we are happy to confess our sin because we know that we have confidence of forgiveness. 

Is confession a part of your regular practice with God?  It should be!  No matter what the sin, bring it before him.  Confess your sin and find forgiveness.  He is a faithful and forgiving God.